Kobebt g



Y '(Mdel.)

R.v G. -VAS'SAR.

ALARM LOCK.

- Patented Nov. 1;.; 2

.II'IIII WITNESS/E8:

Arron/vn N. PETERS. PhobLUmwpher. Wnslington. Dill ROBERT Gr. VASSAR,NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR, BY DIRECT AND MESNE` ASSIGNMENTS, TO THEVASSAR BURGLAR ALARM COMPANY.

ALARM-LOCK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 373,111, dated November15, 1887.

Application filed November 18, 1885. Serial No. 183,164. (Model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ROBERT G. VAssAR, a citizen of the United States,and a resident of New York, in the county of New York and State of NewYork, have invented certain new and useful Alarm-Locks, of which thefollowing is a specification.

My invention relates to alarm-bolts of the kind in which an ordinarydoor ortother bolt 1o is so combined with an alarm mechanism that amovement of the holt to unlock a door or other barrier,'or the lateralmovement of said bolt due to pressure upon the door or to pressure of atool against the bolt, will cause the alarm mechanism to be releasedthrough the action of the bolt upon the detent or releasing devices forsaid alarm mechanism and an alarm to be sounded. I Y

The object of my invention is to improve 2o the construction ofalarm-bolts of the general nature specified and to enlarge andfacilitate their uses. t

InA a prior patent granted to me I have shown an alarm-bolt ofI thegeneral nature specified; but in said bolt there is no provision madefor the operation of the bolt to either lock or unlock the door from theoutside.

The object of the present invention is to provide a means whereby saidbolt may he 3o shot to lock the door from the outside as well as fromthe inside, and whereby it also may be released to unlock the dooreither from the outside or the inside.

The object of the invention is also to provide a means whereby after theholt has been thrown back or released to unlock the door by theoperation of the key inserted from the outside, so as to produce analarm, said alarm may be brought to rest by the person entering 4o afterit has sounded for alimited time and be` fore the spring or otherdriving power for the bell-hammer has completely run down.

My invention consists in the combination of the bolt, a spring forthrowing the same back,

an automatic catch forengaging with the bolt and holding the same inlocked position, said catch being provided with a stud or projection bywhich it may be operated from the in-A side of the door, so as torelease the bolt, and

Vlar line y 1/ of Fig. 1.

a key adapted to be inserted from the outside of the door or otherbarrier and engaging directly or indirectly with said catch, so as toalso effect the release of the bolt by the disengagement of the catchand the consequent freeing of the spring by which the bolt is thrownback.

My invention consists, also, in the combination, with a bolt and springfor throwing the. same in a backward direction, of a catch for engagingwith the bolt, so as to hold the same in locking position, an operatinglever or slide detached from but adapted to engage with the bolt, so asto throw the same into locking position, and provided with an operatingthumb or finger piece, by which the bolt may be thrown from the insideof the door or other object, and a key for operating the bolt from theoutside of the door.

My invention consists, also, in certain other novel combinations andimprovements, that will be described in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, and then more specifically recited in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan of the mechanism of an alarmboltembodying my 75 invention, with the cover-plate removed. Fig. 2 is across-section of the same on the irregu- Fig. 3 is a side elevation ofthe bolt in locking position, and with the detent mechanism for thealarm set in position for releasing the alarm mechanism on a backwardmovement of the bolt. Fig. 4.- is a side elevation of the automaticcatch that holds the bolt projected against the retracting force of aspring. Fig. 5 is a plan of a portion of 85 the bolt and thelocking-catch, the latter being shownengaged. Fig. 6 is a side View ofthe end of a key adapted for use in combination with the devices forreleasing the bolt. Fig. 7 is another view of thesame. Fig. Sis a detailview illustrating a modification in the arrange ment of the detentdevices by which a release of the alarm is edected on a backwardmovement of. the bolt to unlock the door.

A indicates the shell or casing in which the 9 5 parts are contained andmounted, while B indicates a suitable cover-plate cut away at theportion where the alarm-bell is located.

C indicates the bolt proper, which is provided with a rearward extensionworking in a guide-plate or projection, D, rising from and preferablycast in one piece with the baseplate of the shell or casing A.

A spring, C2, of any desired forni, serves to withdraw the bolt when thelatter is released. This spring is in the present case shown as a spiralspring embracing the bolt and bearing at one end against the side of thecasing and at the other end against a iiange or project-ion, G3, uponthe bolt in such way that when the bolt is projected from the casing bythe mechanism to be presently described the spring will be compressedand will serve as the agency for withdrawing the bolt when the same isreleased.

rlhe bolt is detained or held in locking position against the stress ofthe spring by means of an automatic catch arranged and constructed inany proper way to automatically engage with the bolt or a part carriedthereby when the bolt is thrown to locking position. A simple form ofcatch for such purpose is indicated at E. It consists of a lever pivotedon the plate or projection D, and having a spring, F, bearing against aportion of it in such way as to tend to throw it toward the bolt and indirection to force the catch behind a shoulder, G, on the bolt when thesame has been moved outward to a position, as shown in Fig.. 5.

A rounded head or knob, EZ, formed on or connected with the catch E,projects slightly through an opening in the cover-plate B and permitsthe catch to be operated by hand from the inside ofthe doei' to whichthe bolt is applied. rlhis knob is made of the form shown, so as to makeit impossible to operate the catch by a wire or other instrumentintroduced surreptitiously from the outside ot' the door.

One of the features of my invention consists in the provision of asuitable means whereby the catch may also be released by the action of asuitable key linserted from the outside. A key for this purpose is shownin Figs. 6 and 7, and is adapted to be inserted through a keyhole, l`,in the base-plate ofthe casing.

On a tail-piece ofthe catch E, or in any other proper way connected withthe same, isa cam, H, arranged, as shown, in suitable proximity to thekey-hole I, so that when the key is turned a cam, L, on the bit of thekey will engage with the catch and move the same, so as to throw it outoi' engagement with the shoulder G, and thus permit the spring C'Z tothrow the bolt. As will be presently described, such a movement ol thebolt is accompanied by the release ol' the alarm mechanism and asounding ofthe bell, but by the devices hereinafter set forth theringing of the bell maybe stopped after the alarm mechanism has operatedto a limited extent.

The bolt is thrown to locking position by means of an operating slide orlever` adapted to engage with said bolt in one direction only and whollydetached from the same. Such a device is indicated at M, and consists ofa 1ever pivoted on the base-plate and arranged to bear against the heador flange G of the bolt when it is thrown in proper direction from theinside of the door, or by the action of a key inserted from the outside.

An operating finger-piece, N, projects from the lever through the casingto permit the operation of the bolt from the inside, while to permit thebolt to be thrown to locking position from the outside after the doorhas been closed a key is provided that may be inserted from the outside.Such key is preferably the same key that is employed for operating thecatch, and is inserted through the key-hole I. By turning it in theproper direction the web or bit of said key is brought into engagementwith the lever M or other part connected with the bolt. so that byturning the key the bolt may be thrown into position where the catch Ewill engage with and hold it.

l) indicates the main wheel of a springdriven alarm-bell mechanism ofany desired kind, which wheel is normally restrained from movement by alocking device-such, for instance, as that shown in a prior patentgranted to me May G, 1884, and consisting, essentially, ofa plate ormovable support, R, carrying a pin adapted to engage with a perforationin the wheel l). The plate R forms -in effect a detent-lever, which ispivoted at one end, as shown, on a post of the alarm mechanism. and atits free end is guided on another post of said alarm mechanism. Asshown, the detent-lever has an over-hanging arm or projection inposition to be engaged by the rearward extension ofthe bolt on a lateralmovement of the same produced by pressure on the door when the bolt isthrown out. Such lateral movement is produced through the rocking of thebolt on a fulcrum at or near the edge of the casing where the boltpasses through it. A suitable spring or other device bearing on thedetent-lever R holds it down, so that the pin carried by it will engagewith the wheel l and stop the movement of the saine. One or moreperforations may be provided in said wheel for permitting engagement ofthe pin carried by the detent-lever, so as to stop the wheel.

Mechanism for effecting a release of the alarm by the rearward slidingmovement of the bolt', under the action ofthe spring Chfrom alockingposition is also provided, and it is suitably constructed to drop or beprojected into position where it will on such rearward movement effect arelease of the alarm mechanism at the time that the bolt is projectedinto locking position. A simple device of this kind consists of a camblock or plate adapted to drop or be thrown by a spring into line withthe end of the bolt when the bolt is thrown forward, so that on arearward movenient of the bolt a lateral pressure will be brought tobear against the detent-lever R.

In Fig. l, S indicates a cam plate or block for this purpose, whichblock is connected to a spindle, T, terminating outside ofthe casing IOOIIS

in a knob, by means of which the cam may be turned int-c a positionshown in dotted lines, Fig. 1, so as to permit the lever It to move andhold the Wheel P from continued movement. Normally, or when the bolt isin posi tion shown at Fig.v1, the cam block or plateS is held by gravityin the position shown in dotted lines, ready to drop behind the boltinto the positionshown in full lines, Fig. l, and in Figs. 2 and 3,where it will serve, on a rearward movement of the bolt,when the same isreleased. to throw the bolt sidewise against the plate R, thus releasingthe wheel of the alarm mechanism. It is obvious that substantially thesame action might be produced by engagement of the bolt with a blockcapable -itself of lateral movement, so as to move the lever R, the boltitself not being in such case moved laterally, but serving only to moveanother part, by which the release ot' the alarm could be effected. Suchan arrangement is shown in Fig. 8, where the cam S is supposed to becapable of movement toward the plate It, as well as a movement that willpermit it to drop behind the bolt into position to be engaged by thesame when it is thrown back by the spring G2.

A spring which shall-produce a movement of the releasing mechanism intoposition to be actuated by the bolt on a rearward movement might be usedin place of gravity. Such a spring is indicated at S2, Fig. l.

Placed over the cam I, on .the interior of the base-plate, ,is a shieldor cover, O, screwed fast to said base-plate, and serving to prevent theinsertion of a wire or other device into the interior of the mechanismfor the purpose of disabling the bell mechanism to prevent an alarm. Aprojection, C4, in the bolt stops the bolt in its reverse movement byabutting against the guide-projection D.

The general operation of the parts as thus far described would be asfollows: In Fig. 1 the parts are in normal position, the bolt being heldretracted by the spring G2, andthe `adjustable cam plate or block thateffects the release of the alarm mechanism on a rearward movement of thebolt being shown adjusted out of position, where it is normally held bythe rearward extension of the bolt and ready to move by gravity or bythe action of a spring when the bolt is project-ed into position wherethe bolt on a rearward movement will engage with it and effect a releaseofthe alarm. rIhe cam plate or block S is under the conditions normallysupposed to exist in the position shown in dot-ted lines, Fig. l, and isheld by resting upon the rear end of the bolt. v'Ihe bolt is thrown fromthe inside of the door by the operation Vof the detached operati ngslide or lever M, operated by means of a tlngerpiece, N, when it isdesired to set the bolt or to lock the door from the inside. When thebolt is thus thrown, the catch E automatically engages with it K'andholds it from being retracted by the infiuence of the spring O2. The endof the bolt that is projected rests under such conditions against aledge'or projection, V2, formed in the nose-plate, as will be presentlydescribed. At the time of projecting the bolt the cam S drops down intothe position shown in full lines.'Figs. I and 2. If itis desired tothrowthe bolt back from the inside without soundingthe alarm. it is onlynecessary to turn the cam-piece S by means of its knobinto positionwhere the bolt will not come into engagement with it, and at the sametime to operate the catch E by means of the knob or button E2, whichprojects through the casing. The bolt is then thrown back by the actionof the spring G2, and the parts are then in the position shown in Fig.l. While, however. the-bolt is projected, if pressure be applied to thedoor, the bolt will rock on the fulcrum formed by the Side of the casingwhere it projects, `and its rear end will move against the detent R,thus releasing the alarm mechanism,- which will continue to sound untilthe wheel P makes a complete revolution, or longer it the pressure becontinued. The bolt may also be released from the outside by theoperation of the key K, which, being inserted in the key-hole I andbeing turned in proper direction, willl operate the catch E and releasethe bolt. Ity not being within the power ofa person on the outside ofthe door to turn the knob by which the devices for releasing the alarmmechanism are adjusted into position where the slide movement of thebolt in the rearward direction will not release them, it is obvious thatthe operation of the key will result in the sounding of an alarm, thusgiving notice' of the unlocking of the-bolt. After the entrance of theparty holding the key he may throw the cam S into position where it willallow the detentelever R to resume a normal position, so that on thearrival of the perforation in the wheel P to a lproper point the pin ofthe detent-lever will engage with the wheel and the alarm will cease tosound. If a party, after passing out through the door, desires to setthe alarm-bolt so that an alarm will be sounded either by theapplication of pressure to the door or by the retraction ofthe bolt, hecan do so by simply inserting the key and operating the lever or slideM. In this action the cam S drops down, as before explained, and themechanism for releasing the alarm devices by a backward movement of thebolt is thus automatically' set.

The operating slide or lever M engages with the bolt in direction onlyto project said bolt. A movement of the-lever M in the oppositedirection can produce no effect on the bolt and affords no means tounauthorized persons of withdrawing such bolt.

The nose-plate for the bolt is formed of two metal plates, V W, eachcast in one piece and each forming two adjoining sides of a hollow box.The two parts V W can be fitted together and secured by screws to thejamb of a door. The part V is provided with the ledge IOO IIO

or rest V2, against which the nose of the bolt rests. This ledge isformed at a part farthest removed from the bolt, so that the leverageprovided for releasing the alarm on a sidewise movement of the bolt ducto pressure shall be as great as possible.

I do not limit myself to any special mechanism or form ol' devices I'oroperating the automatic catch by the action of a key, as the gist of theinvention, so far as this feature is concerned, consists in theprovision for the bolt and alarm mechanism, with its automatic detent orcatch, of a key adapted to operate the catch from the outside of a door.

Vhat I claim as my invention is- 1. The combination, with a bolt, ofanautomatic catch, a spring tending to retract the bolt, an alarmymechanism, a dctent l'or the same, and a cam block or plate, S, that isthrown automatically into the path of the bolt in its rearward movementwhen said bolt is projected, as and ior the purpose described.

2. The combination of a bolt, an alarm mechanism released by said bolton a rearward sliding movement ol the san1e,an automatic catch providedwith means for operating the same from thc inside of a door, and a keyfor actuating said catch from the outside ol' a door, as and forthepurpose described.

3. The combination, with a bolt and spring for withdrawing the saine, ofan automatic catch for holding the bolt projected, an alarm mechanism,detcnt devices for the same, ad justable into and out of position wherea release will be effected by a rearward movement of the bolt, and a keyfor elccting a disengagement of the catch from the outside ot' a door,as and l`or the purpose described.

4. The conibinatioi1,with abolt and an alarm mechanism having releasingdevices actuated by-said bolt on a lateral movement ot the latter, of anoperating slide or lever having a finger or thumb piece for moving thebolt into locking position t'rom the inside oi' a door, and a key l`oroperating said bolt from the outside of a door, as and for the purposedescribed.

5. The combination, with a bolt and an op erating slide or leverengaging with the same in one direction only and having a finger orthumb piece whereby it may be actuated from the inside olky a door, of akey adapted to be inserted from the outside of a door and to engage withsaid lever or slide for the purpose of setting the bolt, as and for thepurpose de scribed.

6. The combination, with the bolt and its retractingspring, of anautomatic catch-lever having the operating-knob Eland a tail-pieceprovided with a surface, H, with which a key may engage, as and for thepurpose described.

7. The combination, with the bolt, of an automatic catch l'or holdingthe same projected andan operating slide or lever for projecting thesame, said catch and lever being provided with attachments whereby theymay be operated froni the inside of a door, and being also arranged insuitable proximity to a key-hole, I, so that they may both be actuatedby a key inserted from the outside of a door, as and for the purposedescribed.

8. The combination ofthe bolt C, operating slide M, automatic catch E,alarm mechanism and detentlevcr therefor, and a cam-plate, S, having anoperating-knob whereby it may be withdrawn l'roin position where thealarm is released, as and for the purpose described.

9. The combination, with the wheel I? for the alarm mechanism, of adetent-lever, R, pivoted at one end and guided upon a post at theopposite end, said lever being provided with anoverhanging or projectingportion arranged in proximity to a bolt, as and for the purposedescribed.

l0. The combination, with an alarm-lock having a keyhole, l, of aprojecting cap, O, secured to the base ol' the casing over said keyholeto preventthe introduction ofinstru ments for rendering the bellinoperative, as and for the purpose described.

l1. The nose block or plate having the ledge or rest V2 formed in thesame at a point removed from the side where the nose of the bolt enters,as and i'or the purpose described.

l2. The combination ol'thebolt,thespring for withdrawing the same, anautomatic locking device for engaging with the boltand holding itprojected against the stress ofthe spring, and a key that operates uponsaid locking devices and discngages the saine from the bolt, so that thespring may withdraw, as and for the purpose described.

Signed at New York, in the county of New York and State ol' New York,this 17th day of November, A. D. 1885.

' ROBERT G. VASSAR.

Vitncsses:

WM. H. (3A-PEL, J. VAN VALKENBURGH.

lOO

